Learn Hardcore Italian: Non raccoglierle con la mano: usa la spugna, per favore. - Don’t pick them up with your hand: use the sponge, please.

Because when you form a negative tu command in Italian, you use non + the infinitive (non raccogliere). In that case object pronouns attach to the end of the infinitive, so non raccogliere + le becomes non raccoglierle.

What does le refer to in this sentence?

Le is a third-person feminine plural direct-object pronoun. It stands for “them” when those things are feminine and plural (e.g. le foglie, le cose, le gocce).

Why is the negative command non raccogliere used instead of non raccogli?

In Italian the negative imperative for tu isn’t the normal imperative form, but non + the infinitive. So you say non raccogliere (“don’t pick up”), never non raccogli.

Why does the sentence use a colon (:) after mano?

The colon introduces the second instruction (usa la spugna) as the direct consequence or explanation of the first (non raccoglierle con la mano). It’s a stylistic choice to show that the second part follows logically. You could also use a semicolon or dash, but the colon highlights the cause-and-effect.

Why is there a definite article before mano (con la mano)?

In Italian you normally use the definite article with body parts. Con la mano literally means “with the hand,” i.e. using your hand. Saying con mano would sound ungrammatical.

Could you say non raccoglierle a mano instead of con la mano?

Yes. A mano also means “by hand.” Con la mano highlights the instrument (your hand), whereas a mano is simply “manually.” Both are understood, though con la mano is more literal.

Why is the positive command usa used here and not usare or usate?

Usa is the second-person singular (tu) imperative of usare. Usare is the infinitive form (not an imperative) and usate would be the plural (voi) imperative.

Why is it la spugna and not una spugna?

Using the definite article (la) implies a specific sponge known to speaker and listener (for example the one provided). Una spugna would mean “any sponge” or introduce it for the first time.

What does per favore add to the sentence?

Per favore softens the command and makes it polite—equivalent to “please.” You could also say per piacere or ti prego, but per favore is the most common.

How would you say these instructions if you were talking to multiple people (voi)?

You’d still use non + infinitive for the negative and switch to the voi imperative for the positive:
Non raccoglierle con la mano: usate la spugna, per favore.